THE EFFECT OF THE PEDIATRIC CLERKSHIP ON MEDICAL-STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD PEDIATRICS AT 11 MEDICAL-SCHOOLS

Objectives: To investigate how the pediatric clerkship affected studen t attitudes toward pediatrics, and to determine if correlations existe d between changes in attitudes toward pediatrics and in ratings of cer tain aspects of the clerkship with an increased interest in a pediatri c career. Methods: A one-page survey measuring interest in a career in pediatrics and agreement or disagreement with seven statements about pediatrics was administered at the beginning and end of the pediatric clerkship at 11 medical schools for the 1992-1993 academic year. Resul ts: The proportion of students with a strong interest in a pediatric c areer increased from 6.7% before the clerkship to 15.2% after the cler kship (for women, 11% to 22%; for men, 4% to 11%). Attitudes toward pe diatrics were more favorable at the end vs the beginning of the clerks hip. The change that correlated best with change in interest in a pedi atrics career was agreement that children are enjoyable to work with. Of the eight aspects of the clerkship rated, the patients worked with on the ward received the most positive mean score. The item that corre lated best with increased career interest was a positive feeling towar d the ward residents. Conclusions: The recent trend for women to have a greater interest in careers in pediatrics than men is continuing. Fi nding ways to make students more comfortable when they interact with c hildren and improving the teaching skills of residents could improve r ecruitment of medical students into pediatrics.